Specific binding of poly(I)-poly(C) to the membrane of murine B lymphocyte subsets.

Indirect immunofluorescence revealed that 13% of BALB/c and 33% of CBA spleen cells of B type carry specific binding sites at their surface for double-stranded poly(I).poly(C). Pretreatment of BALB/c spleen cells with anti-mouse immunoglobulin serum increased the number of B cells capable of binding poly(I).poly(C) indicating the existence of a second B lymphocyte subpopulation carrying masked poly(I).poly(C)-binding sites. Pretreatment of the cells with mitogenic doses of either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or single-stranded polynucleotides, e.g. poly(I) or double-stranded poly(A).poly(U), failed to affect binding of poly(I).poly(C) to the cells. Poly(I).poly(C) converts small poly(I).poly(C)-binding lymphocytes into lymphoblasts carrying poly(I).poly(C)-binding sites. Lymphoblasts derived from LPS-stimulated cells do not carry poly(I).poly(C)-binding sites. Thymocytes or splenic T cells failed to bind poly(I).poly(C). As measured by thymidine uptake, CBA mice containing a higher percentage of poly(I).poly(C)-binding cells, are high responder mice to poly(I).poly(C), compared with low responder BALB/c mice.